2002 Subaru Impreza WRX cold-start ticking noise!?!

(TURN UP THE VOLUME LOUD!)

Can't figure out what it could be...many people on the Subaru forums say many different things... After the engine temp has reached it's normal operatin temp (approx needle at middle), the noise goes away almost 100%, maybe still audible just slightly. Ticking is also in sync with RPM. So the higher you push the RPM the quicker the ticking goes as the video shows.
1) Timing belt tensioner (should be replaced)

or

2) loud lifters (apparently normal)

3) Oil issues (gonna try another type)

4) Gasoline issues (I put in min. Octane 91 Shell or more)

5) Piston slap (not good!)

Took it to the dealer but ofcourse the engine was no longer cold, so no noise could be heard.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Subaru
• Impreza
• WRX
• 2002

[ATLien69]

Just want to post an updated comment since I've gotten so much feedback... apparently this is NORMAL. My cars been running strong for over a year now and 40,000km later, not a problem. So relax and enjoy the car. :)

[MXR2400ex]

Tipical subaru mine has 222,000 miles and still going strong !!

[palma0778]

nothing wrong with this engine no worrys

[tallica1]

I've had 3 Subaru's, one N/A impreza 1.5L and two EJ207 STi's and they all made this noise on cold starts. It's normal aparently...more so with forged pistons which are known to give the piston slap when cold.

[xxftwismymottoxx]

yea if you watch motorweeks review of the brand new 2002 wrx when they start it in the vid u can hear piston slap.. and thats on a new car. mine does the same and i run 5w30 mobil1 synthetic

[DrinaRS]

а чего лампочка подушек не потухла после старта ?

[snowrocket]

I've owned My '97 2.2 (EJ22) Impreza for seven years. 196,000 miles, currently. It's made worse knocking than this for five years! When it's below 20 degrees F, the noise never goes away, and gets louder when you're revving it up. Then summer comes and it sounds like a low mileage car! I wait for it to warm up before running it hard, then do what I like after that. The 2.2 NA and the 2.0 turbo are the best Subaru engines ever made; virtually indestructable if left stock and well maintained.

[Bubbly05subie]

@Bubbly05subie

By the way this is coming from a certified Subaru tech and Subaru enthusiast... he has owned them since he was old enough to drive and before lol

[Bubbly05subie]

just wanted to post what the problem is... see the wrx has a plating on the rods when the plating starts to come off it causes this "knock" my old motor (took it out to upgrade) did that very same thing for almost three yrs then i blew the main bearings out, took it apart put new mans and rod bearings in and guess what the knock was still there but the car ran strong for another yr till i swapped it to a 2.5 hybrid.

[TheNego]

Its piston slap, the pistons and rings need time to warm up and expand in the cylinder! Most Subies do this!

[jp9929]

piston slap